Incarceration

Re-Incarceration in China

Distinguished Teaching Professor Of Sociology, University At Albany-SUNY

Key Findings

Twenty percent of the surveyed inmates were re-incarcerated.

Age positively correlated to recidivism; for each additional year in inmate age, the likelihood of re-incarceration increases by four percent.

The likelihood that males are re-incarcerated is four times higher than the rate of females.

Married inmates had a decreased chance of re-incarceration by 35%.

Inmates living in higher crime areas had a greater chance of associating with criminal peers and being re-incarcerated.

Association with criminal peers, low-self control, and negative emotions are all positively associated with re-incarceration.

Description

In the article, “Predicting Re-Incarceration Status of Prisoners in Contemporary China: Applying Western Criminological Theories,” Messner and his co-authors use principles from western criminological theories to predict re-incarceration rates of prisoners in China in a comparative study. To date, research predicting criminal activity in China has focused on juvenile offenders who had committed minor offenses. The researchers examine three western theories: social learning theory, which states that viewing/associating with criminal activity leads to delinquency; general strain theory (GST), which states that negative experiences increase strain which drives criminal and delinquent activity; and control theory, which theorizes that criminals have low-self control which drives criminal activity. To collect their data, the researchers surveyed 1,804 inmates, who averaged 34 years of age, in a southeastern coastal province of China. The researchers used a stratified random design from 14 local prisons. The results showed 20% of the surveyed inmates were re-incarcerated. Age positively correlated to recidivism; for each additional year in inmate age, the likelihood of re-incarceration increases by four percent. The likelihood that males are re-incarcerated is four times higher than the rate of females. Married inmates had a decreased chance of re-incarceration by 35%. Neighborhoods where the inmates lived also had a significant effect on re-incarceration. Inmates living in higher crime areas had a greater chance of associating with criminal peers and being re-incarcerated. Researchers found that association with criminal peers, low-self control, and negative emotions are all positively associated with re-incarceration. In conclusion, the authors note that this research may be used to decrease re-incarceration rates by supporting self-control and emotional coping resources for inmates.